Folding Machete

caine

caine

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2003
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4,193
Been looking at the old folding machete's and was wondering how one could be improved with modern day materials. Maybe 5160 steel and micarta handle. :) I think it would be great for a canoe or kayak knife (stainless) or course. Also think it would be awesome for a day hike or maybe overnighter. Maybe slim enough to fit in a side pocket. Anyway just my thoughts
 
Do you have a pic? I don't think I've seen one, but it sounds pretty cool
 
caine said:
Been looking at the old folding machete's and was wondering how one could be improved with modern day materials. Maybe 5160 steel and micarta handle. :) I think it would be great for a canoe or kayak knife (stainless) or course. Also think it would be awesome for a day hike or maybe overnighter. Maybe slim enough to fit in a side pocket. Anyway just my thoughts
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Are you talking about the old military issue Camillus ones?
 
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I always that it was a crazy looking thang.
 
Joezilla said:
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I always that it was a crazy looking thang.
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This one even comes with a harmonica to keep yourself entertained Les Stroud style after a hard day's choppin'! :D

harmonicachete.jpg


In all seriousness, though, have you considered something as the CS Espada XL? As long as you don't mind scratching the hell out of the aluminum then the lock should hold up. Slips in a pocket no problem, and the AUS8 that everyone complains about is at least reasonably impact resistant.
 
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I have one from Cattaraugus. They were issued to pilots I believe. The slabs on the handle are thick if you ask me. They might be Bakelite material.
 
as Quill commented... my Dad brought one back from Burma in WWII, and I used it as a Scout along with the jungle hammock... the handle was very uncomfortable but the "cool" quotient was great....saved my allowance for a Collins 1944 machete...
 
If I'm going to be hacking with something, the presence of a joint in the tool raises durability questions. But they DO look cool.

DancesWithKnives
 
About ten years ago I picked up a beater Cattaraugus folding machete in a pawn shop for 5 bucks. It lives in my truck and gets used. It's probably over 65 years old and still goin' strong, so don't worry about the joint.

Atlanta Cutlery has repo's for 50 bucks.
 
My father-in-law has an old Camillus. It's the toughest damned folding knife I've ever seen. He just doesn't have the blade guard for it.
 
DWK2 said:
If I'm going to be hacking with something, the presence of a joint in the tool raises durability questions. But they DO look cool.

DancesWithKnives
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The Case is very tough--as teenagers we hacked countless saplings and small trees down with one. I ended up owning it (was my friends) and though it was pretty rough eventually got a good price for it on eBay (after I found it in a box 20 odd years later), even w/o the aluminum blade guard. Kinda wish I'd kept it now :rolleyes:

For reasonable use, I think a similar design would hold up fine. The old Case would easily take a shaving edge and kept it fairly well.
 
Atlanta Cutlery has repros made by Windless of India that are really good tools. Windless made weapons for the British Military since the late 1800's. They use 1095 steel with a good heat treat. The liner lock is bombproof.
 
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